Officials surveyed an abandoned Buddhist pagoda after hikers stumbled upon it deep in the Thai jungle.

Monks checked the pagoda of the decrepit Wat Khao Chedi Wisai Tri Rattanaram after tourists came across the ruins while trekking through the forest in Chumphon province in southern Thailand on November 17.

One of the inspectors, Phra Khru Lad Sirichok, said: ‘The structure found in the jungle is only a monastic residence, not a temple.

'To take any action on the abandoned building, we would need to inform Chumphon provincial forest center since it is located in the forest area.'

Villagers claimed the structure was built between 1962 to 1977.

The area had been divided into two parts, with the upper region containing a Buddha's image near the mountain top, while the other part is a pagoda located at the base of the hill.

Over the years, the monks have stopped staying at the monastery, leaving it desolate.

The place is colloquially known as the Khao Chedi Wisai Tri Rattanaram Temple, but it is not registered with the National Office of Buddhism and is only considered the monks' accommodation.